Posted
by Phil Cauthon
January 11, 2008 at 1:46 p.m.
A big day for Mr. W
Westar signed agreements with developers to build three wind farms in Kansas-in [Barber][1], [Cloud][2] , and [Wichita][3] counties. According to today's [press release][4], by the end of 2008 these farms will being cranking out 300 megawatts of power-a significant step, though modest given wind's potential. For reference, the hulking beast on Lawrence's northern horizon pumps 539 megawatts of power, using the constant stream of coal that makes dinner on the patio of [La Tropicana][5] so enjoyable.Here's [an interesting overview of all the power production in Kansas][6]. I would have thought the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant (548 megawatts) would have been the leading energy source. But it actually comes it at No. 4 ... way behind the plant in St. Mary's. That plant produces 1,857 megwatts with "Coal, Wind." I wish they would have specified what the breakdown is. My guess is wind's contribution is minimal-otherwise, Westar's PR department is really dropping the ball [given this][7].Anyway, sounds like the government and big bidness is finally getting hep to what the peeps want: more Mr. W!!! (Thanks to Hillary at [Local Burger][8] for the linkage.) [1]: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&h... [2]: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&h... [3]: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&h... [4]: http://media.lawrence.com/pdf/2008/080111wind contracts.pdf [5]: /places/la_tropicana [6]: http://www.westarenergy.com/corp_com/contentmgt.nsf/publishedpages/our%20energy%20home [7]: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/jan... [8]: /places/local_burger
Comments
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DOTDOT (anonymous) says…
Doesn't most of the opposition against Mr. W. making Megawatts come from environmentalists?
smerdyakov (anonymous) says…
Sure, but some environmentalists would just assume see a big chunk of the human population go away for the sake of the ecosystem. I'm an environmentalist, and I say train the damn birds to fly over Colorado or Missouri.
DOTDOT (anonymous) says…
"...some environmentalists would just assume see a big chunk of the human population go away for the sake of the ecosystem."
Any volunteers?
djdeadpool (anonymous) says…
I'll volunteer. I'd just assume see a meteor fall on my skull as see a flock of rare dodo condors bite the big shiny one. I'll get started on it just assume as i can.
DOTDOT (anonymous) says…
djdeadpool:
I will bow to your nobility, just assume as Mr M. hits.
buck (Buck Rowland) says…
It is really disappointing that Kansas doesn't lead the way in Wind Production. Once you get about 10 miles west of Topeka, the one thing that is constant is wind. I did see some fantastic wind "mills" going up out west yonderways on my last drive on 70 heading west. Would it not be a good idea to begin the "greening" of the United States OF America here in the Freestate? Could we not create jobs out of such an effort?